Kinky Boots – Photo credit: Helen Maybanks
Kinky Boots is based on the 2005 film of the same name, which was inspired by the true story of Northampton shoe manufacturers W.J Brookes.
With music and lyrics by Cyndi Lauper and a book by Harvey Fierstein, Kinky Boots premiered in 2012 in Chicago and went on to win 6 Tony awards including best musical in 2013, and 3 Olivier awards in 2016 including Best New Musical.
The story tells of Charlie Price, who inherits a near bankrupt shoe factory in Northampton from his father. A chance encounter with drag queen Lola, whose expensive shoes keep losing their heels, gives Charlie an idea. He forms a partnership with Lola to produce high heeled boots and shoes specifically designed to hold a man’s weight, which he hopes will save the family business.
David Rockwell’s set of sewing machines, shoe boxes, racks of shoes, trollies and a conveyor belt immediately transport the viewer into a factory environment; contrasting perfectly with the bright colourful costumes (designed by Gregg Barnes) of Lola and the Angels.
Joel Harper-Jackson as Charlie Price creates a charming character and gives a performance that is understated, perfectly complimenting the character of Lola. Harper-Jackson has a powerful rock style voice and his delivery of Soul of a man was for me his stand out number of the production.
Kayi Ushe gave an outstanding performance as the sassy, fabulous, confident Lola. However, Ushe also beautifully captured the vulnerability of Lola as she struggles to confront the demons that she is wrestling with. Not my father’s son was delivered with emotion and honesty by both Ushe and Harper-Jackson and reduced me to tears.
The fantastic “Angels” (Connor Collins, John.J. Dempsey, Damon Gould, Joshua Lovell, Chileshé Mondelle, Toyan Thomas – Browne) light up the stage as they deliver Jerry Mitchell’s choreography with style, sass and charisma.
Everybody say yeah is a fantastic ensemble number delivered by all the cast, involving a complicated gymnastic dance routine on the factory conveyor belt which was a marvellous end to Act One.
Full of memorable catchy songs delivered by a very talented cast, Kinky Boots is an outstanding, uplifting, stiletto heeled show stopper of a musical with an important message of acceptance and tolerance.
Please note: From now on, Theatretastic will only be painting the town RED.
Kinky Boots runs at the Grand theatre in Wolverhampton form the 16th – 27th October when it continues its UK tour.
MT
Theatretastic 5/5:
We say: “Kinky Boots is an outstanding, uplifting, stiletto heeled show stopper of a musical!”
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